17 Nov 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is closely monitoring developments of an outbreak of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in the Ukraine.
A department spokesman noted that a multi-disciplinary team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and related bodies had been sent to the Ukraine to investigate the outbreak.
"According to the WHO, preliminary laboratory reports indicated that the ARI epidemic was mainly related to human swine influenza (HSI)," the spokesman said.
"Other causes for clusters of respiratory illnesses are also being investigated."
The CHP had been closely communicating with the WHO regarding both the latest global situation of HSI and the ARI incident in the Ukraine.
"Hong Kong has a sensitive laboratory surveillance system capable of detecting unusual strains of influenza viruses.
"The Public Health Laboratory Service Branch of the CHP will conduct subtyping for the influenza isolates collected locally," the spokesman said.
"So far, no unusual influenza trends are detected in Hong Kong."
It was also noted that the WHO had not recommended any travel restrictions at this moment.
"Travellers to the Ukraine are advised to observe personal protective measures such as handwashing and avoidance of crowded places.
"Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care," the spokesman said.